This is awesome!

[BillyOblivion]

There is this chemical your body produces called "myostatin" that is responsible for inhibiting muscle growth--it is probably a mechanism from preventing your muscle mass from getting out of control and increasing your caloric (and protein) requirements to impossible to sustain levels.

It's opposite is "Follistatin".

"Recently" there has been some research into a (potential) myostatin inhibitor called "(-)-epicatechin".

Where do we find (-)-epicatechin?

Dark Chocolate.

That's like finding out that Whiskey only kills communist brain cells.

https://examine.com/nutrition/does-dark-chocolates-epicatechin-content-promote-muscle-growth/

[BeardedPelican]

I got a hunch that a chocolate company funded that research

[LawDog]

You'll also find it in broccoli and cauliflower.

Put down the candy bar. Pick up the barbell.

[Steven Spaugh]

You'll also find it in broccoli and cauliflower.

Put down the candy bar.

At least, that's what you tell the kids.

[WinstonSmith]

I got a hunch that a chocolate company funded that research

The researcher is an academic (PhD) at a university in Mexico. And MX does produce a notable amount of cacao. So possible. I spent a few minutes trying to google for the researcher’s funding grants and came up empty. (American universities are usually more transparent about that, but most people won’t bother to look.)

That said, this study was done on mice, then moved to humans for only SEVEN DAYS as a proof of concept and the form of strength measured was grip strength. That’s it. Proof of concept.

That said, I have read tons to support super dark chocolate having benefits like this (Mark’s Daily Apple has several articles on it), but it’s the cacao/cocoa content that matters. The reason why “dark” chocolate is referenced is that your average Hershey’s bar has enough sugar to give an entire third world country ADHD. Dark chocolate has a low density of other ingredients like sugar and milk (and even soy, as a cheap emulsifier— they used to use eggs).

I eat 90% dark chocolate fairly regularly. It takes adjusting your palate. By the time your palate adjusts, you won’t eat as much, either. It’s the sugar you’re after. The bars I eat only give me 1g of sugar per serving, which is fine unless you’re a cancer patient (just say no to sugar if so).

Eat the broccoli. Eat the super dark chocolate. Eat animal protein. Smash heavy weights. Repeat.

[Bob F.]

A little dark chocolate and a small glass of red wine does wonder for cholesterol. Notice the diminutives.

[CaneCorso]

Some 90% Lindt dark chocolate goes into the protein shake every day with a blob of olive oil for good measure.